So, dashing, insouciant gent?
[color me chagrined-I have mostly been owned by girl kitties so that’s my default]
Wow, y’all have been talkative today. Read much, so yays, boos, and hugs as appropriate.
I’m in the depths of insomnia. I can already tell I ain’t gonna sleep for shit tonight. I’m just going to try to rest and hope that will work for tomorrow.
There’s an artillery battle going on outside. Goo’s lounging on the ottoman in the living room. Abbey’s been MIA. We looked all over for her. Apparently, she was under my bed, but we didn’t see her. She just came out, but stayed under a table. Now she’s gone again. Another two hours 'til midnight, when things will become less scary for her.
I’m so sorry it came to this. You acted in their best interests, remember that. You also needed to take care of yourself.
Not having my own kitchen would make me nutz. I hated using the office microwave because my coworkers didn’t have the same cleaning standards I do.
Hubs never understood why I wanted a day off work after vacation because he wasn’t the one who did all the unpacking and laundry when we got home.
Of course he is still trying to plan my trip to see my mother for the last time (pretty sure she won’t know me this time next year) to be faster, cheaper and more efficient.
I want to sort through our camping stuff as well. There is no chance that I will ever crawl through the little opening on our dome tent, plus it is probably dry rotted by now. We will keep the camp stove because we are preppers, but the hammock bag really needs to go.
G-cat makes me jealous. I remember a time when I could pretend to be as flexible as a cat. Le sigh.
Is a kitty door an option? We’ve put them in two different doors in two homes and they aren’t that fiddly to install. It really does work best if you take the door off the hinges and put it on a table or something so you can work on it while standing, but we kludged our first kitty door because we thought it would be easier to do it with the door hanging.
Narrator: Do not install kitty door after having a few beers during the planning session.
That was the fun part. Plus putting the cabin together was kinda kewl when one was 5 years old.
Laughing at the mental pic.
Also, listen to Mom and cook your frozen pizza to kill the germs.
What a precious memory. Thank you for sharing it with us.
You brought up my favorite time with Mom. I was 7 when Mom got a babysitter for my little sisters because they were too young to understand and we got dressed up in our good clothes and went to see President Johnson speak in San Bernardino CA.
We both wore hats and I got to wear my white gloves cause it was all fancy and stuff.
One the way, we saw some people working on the side of the road and Mom told me that the Secret Service would probably make them leave because of what had happened in Texas.
We got there early so were in the front row. When the President stepped on the stage, everyone started shoving forward and I got swept away in the crowd.
The next thing I remember was a man wearing a black suit and dark glasses picking me up and telling the crowd to move back because a little girl was getting crushed. I got handed back to my frantic mother and remember crying because she wouldn’t let me go back to try to find my hat.
shoe, thanks for the PM. Today has been fairly interesting and I haven’t been able to get back to you, but I really do appreciate the information.
One of the better fireworks shows I saw at Lake Union was from the roof of a not-yet-completed apartment building on the west side. When I was younger we would go to Green Lake for the fireworks show there. Hard to believe that everybody was picknicking and had their own Black snakes, ground flowers, sparkers and probably even a part of a brick of Black Cat fireworks. It was crowded and it was fun. Who knows how many got burned, or worse.
Originally thought we might get to the U.S. for the 4th, but that was just too little time. We’re flying tomorrow (6th) and won’t be back until the 14th of August. Hubby wants to see the places I went at a child. We’re going to see the Grand Coulee Dam, where I went camping for years. Plus Leavenworth, North Cascade Loop, etc. There will be hiking and lots of sun screen.
Building is surrounded by scaffolding and this afternoon they will disconnect the power, because they’re wiring in the solar panels into the main power. So we will shut down everything we can (either at the panel or unplugging), so our electric bill while we’re gone will be rather low. The work will be finished only at the end of August, so we’re missing out on a lot of the “fun”. Good thing we have good neighbors who will take care of the plants and apartment.
For those who need them: and
Thanks for sharing pet pictures and videos
And for those who are providing suggestions - that’s the best part of this place. Even if you don’t know something, there’s somebody else who can share their wisdom.
Guess that’s better than Walk Like an Egyptian. Something for you to do on Thursday, or maybe even Wedneday, after surgery.
Probably should go finish packing. Or maybe I can do boarding passes. Or something.
ETA boarding passes are automatic, but only 20 hours before boarding. Have to wait 4 hours. pouts
No, they’re glass French doors – plus mini-blinds like these that attach to the doors.
Some pics from our Fourth of July Forest Park hike. Bob was not in a mood to pose for pictures. He was more into licking me in the face and seeing what was up around the next bend.
Yay for more pic!
Last picture’s my favorite.
What an excellent phrase!
Awwww. I’m sorry. That’s a crappy feeling, even if you know you’re doing the right thing.
Um, excuse me, your cat appears to be broken.
We have some seriously talented writers in our crowd.
Dear god, you and I have very different internal thermostats.
I’m jealous. I lurve flashing-butt bugs!
Wow!
God: “I SMITE THEE!!”
Oh, you’re welcome! No response needed, unless you had followup questions.
Two handsome gents!
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave.
No worries. Spot is secure in his manhood(at least the bits they didn’t snip off 
).
Good morning.
I hope everyone survived the onslaught of mortar rounds from last night. We did. I guess the ONLY pill we’ve tried giving Shayna, that worked for her, was the Xanax. They proved themselves last night. Well, she had one Xanax, and two CBD ‘relaxing’ treats. That did more for her than anything else EVER has! I’m eternally grateful for it!
It sounded like we were being bombed, I swear. This went on until 2am, or so. LOUD. I hate to look on top the house, when it gets light enough. I’ll bet there are bits of fireworks everywhere. I’m glad it’s over. Of course, there will still be leftovers for a week. Sort of like Thanksgiving, only louder. Ugh. The critters didn’t even come out, to eat the goodies/leftovers/stale stuff I put out for them. It’s so sad. I’m sure they were all scared to death.
I am up too early, and the coffee is about ready. Good thing. That’s ok. I need to be up, to finish up things around here. Then, I’m taking a nap.
I found out why hubs can’t come home, yet. His potassium, and electrolytes are a little low. After that’s straightened out, I guess he’ll get to leave. He’s bored. REALLY bored. Angry about being bored. He said that he’s retaining water so badly, the nurses are having a REALLY difficult time finding a vein for taking blood twice a damned day. He’s very angry about that, as well. I don’t know why they’re not giving him a diuretic. They still have him hooked up to one IV.
Again, I want to thank you all for the kind words. Thank you for letting me rant, and get some of this crap off my chest, too. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Thank you.
Have a great day, everyone.
Booms audible around our house were minimal and not very loud - I’m guessing the Amish don’t go in for pyrotechnics… I crashed before 10, then woke around 1:30 to use the facilities - and I made the mistake of starting to think, so it was after 3 before I fell back to sleep, and I got up around 5:30. So some sleep, but not as much as I’d like.
Both kids today - this should be interesting. I rinsed out the pool yesterday, and today I’ll pump up the top ring (it has a slow leak, dammit) and refill it so the well water chill will come off. It will be interesting to see how much they want to be outside or in the basement. Daughter doesn’t want them back till 3 or so - she’s got admission testing today I think. But I won’t get them till after 9-ish.
I need to do some laundry, and I think I can hang it out today - there’s just a 30% chance of precip.
Speaking of Daughter - she hired her new battalion commander - a former Coast Guard officer who, among other things, taught leadership to other Coasties. She’s apparently a petite, athletic woman, which will be an interesting change from the retired USAF Sgt they used to have. Daughter is excited about working with her - hoping they can be the team that she and the last guy weren’t. Also, the former headmistress who’d, for some reason turned against Daughter, has resigned from the board. We think she was pissed because things didn’t continue exactly as she’d have done them. Anyway, both of Daughter’s big stressors have left.
Today feels like Moanday again because yesterday felt like Sunday. Stoopit holiday week! Then again, just 2 days with the kids, then another weekend.
Happy Wednesday!!
What a great outing
Re-joining the mumpers very late - and I’m sorry for not keeping up. Been a lot going on and I’ll try to compose the least whiny version I can.
But first, hugs and/or manly backslaps to several who seem to be having a rough go: like {{{wordy}}}, {{{nellie}}}, {{{nona}}}, and best wishes to our former Alaskan on upcoming surgeries [manly back-slaps]cookie[/mbs].
Where to start? Sigh…
Rough stuff happening to kids the last months. One had an encounter with Mr Violence and is now afraid to even sleep in their home. Having had my turn in this barrel, I understand completely and am in support mode. Heading out for a multi-day road trip to said home to check on, tidy, get mail, and repair some furniture (later this week). Both have had serious upheavals in work, caused by forces way above and beyond their control (both are well thought of by bosses, but shit’s happening up in suit-world). The good news is both have landed on their feet. Youngest has managed to re-secure funding for her Mediterranean archeological expedition (and is on the dive boat as we speak), and eldest has a new type-rating but a much lower seniority number – but I’m convinced it will be better in the long run. He really likes his new company and is jazzed about the change. And there’s the bonus of flight privileges for us parents too. We can go almost anywhere for pocket change now.
I’m sitting here nursing my swollen arm due to a disagreement with a swarm of wasps regarding ownership of my shed yesterday. I lost the battle but won the war, as they say. Multiple stings and will head to the docs this morning for various potions/shots. I’m not allergic, but enough of 'em will cause swelling and I’m now eligible for casting in a “Pop-eye” play.
I shall now whine… My eye has gotten much better, going from zero vision to 20/200. It’s still very blurry around the edges, and is like one of the soft-focus movie shots but with good focus dead-center. I return to one of the four (4!) eye-docs who are working on this in 2 weeks. She says the improvment trend should be allowed to continue naturally to see where it will end before additional surgery. Since the additional surgery involves words which should never be in a sentence together (“drill” and “eyeball”) I’m on board with this.
My other eye has settled at 20/25 which is amazing. The problem is my former dominant eye is the “bad” one. This is causing more perception and balance issues than you’d think, but I’m getting there.
I’ve resumed some of the boat repair (we still talk about that stuff in the MMP, right?) and made a lot of progress. We got the bad ignition wire fixed, and installed the new tachometer ourselves. But “princess” realized we were getting ahead of ourselves and decided she’d break one of the outflow lines from the shower, just to be spiteful. Since this is below the waterline, repairs may require professional help.
So here she is, going to her favorite place - the mechanic’s shop. Personally I think she just likes the feel of rough canvas on her dirty little bottom. You can see her self-satisfied smile in the pic.
Well, sorry for the whinging, but I’ll try to keep up better. Hope everyone has a good rest of the week!
Note: No idea why my post showed up as a reply to dogbutler. ??
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 77 Amurrkin out and mostly N.O.S. with a predicted high of 91 (kinda cool for July in these parts) with possible rain/tstorms/apocalypse later this mornin’ and into the afternoon. We shall see. The big items on today’s agenda are to procure provisions and laundry that did not get done yestiddy cause we were in celebratory mode. Outside of that sloth and the usual general overall uselessness shall ensue. Sup shall be shrimpies 'n grits, roasted spareguts and rolls.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, bother of all bothers, I suppose I must purtify and don attire appropriate for bein’ amongst the great unwashed. I just hope my public appreciates all that sacrifice!
Happy Hump Day Y’all!
This made me giggle more than it should!! 
First load in the washer. Pool is inflated and is filling. FCD has headed to the boat, and then to Daughter’s school to do some measuring (he’s re-doing their network and installing a new intercom system.) I expect the kids will be here within the hour. Depending on the weather, I may take them to the playground next to their mom’s school so they can run around and stuff till she picks them up.
I moved all our Diet Cokes from the garage into the house - I don’t think it’s good for them to be stored in such heat. Half are on shelves in the stairwell, the rest are under the breakfast bar. That leaves me with a big empty shelf in the garage - I expect it will fill with stuff before too long.
And so it begins…
Good morning everyone.
It’s currently 57F, and the sun has not quite crested the horizon. The air around here still reeks of sulfur, and the AQI map shows my area as HAZARDOUS. The expected high is 92F; some partly cloudy skies may be present in the early afternoon, returning to full sun by late afternoon. Yesterday, some smoke and haze from the Canadian fires moved in during the late morning/early afternoon too.
It was fairly quiet for the 4th of July around here until 5:00 pm. Then the mortars and interminably long firecracker strings started. Seriously, some idiot in the neighborhood next to mine had one that went off for 15 minutes straight. The end of the street was completely red by the time it was done. It was annoying and stupid. As darkness started to fall it was non-stop until 2:30 am. People here are idiots and I’m crabby due to lack of sleep. We had to shut the windows of course, and it was very hot and stuffy in here. I’ve got the windows open now just because it was so uncomfortable in the house.
Back to work today, but at least I’m working from home.
Die_Capacitrix, here wishing you safe travels. I’ll wave at you from Pierce County. You mentioned Leavenworth. I dunno, the town is crowded, and beyond the one block filled with kitsch shops, it’s not much. Still, it’s somewhat pleasant to walk around, and the scenery is beautiful. They just got a roller coaster there. https://www.leavenworthadventurepark.com/
I actually had more fun staying in a cabin along the Wenatchee River west of town, but we did take a trip into town to check out the shops. I went to Leavenworth often growing up too.
The North Cascade Loop is beautiful and one of my favorites. Chinook Pass is also beautiful.
Sending yays, hugs and boos as appropriate. I need to get the kitchen cleaned up now.
I can tell it’s Independence Day. I have begun seeing online ads for Halloween costumes.
Good morning all. The noisemakers weren’t too bad around here, they were pretty much quiet by 10:30pm so got a good night’s sleep. Nothing on the agenda today, may head over to Wally’s Place and look at luggage, the stuff I have is old and worn and ill-matched, so might try to find a matching set. Outside of that and swimming-n-sauna it’s just avoiding the heat (only supposed to get to 89F today) and maybe cleaning the house a bit.
Took about 25 minutes of steady reading to catch up from last night, so yeas, boos, hugs, tears, and cheers to all in whatever proportion you need.
Onward into Hump Day!
This was the quietest 4th I’ve ever experienced. Couple distant pops around dusk, but that was it. I kinda thought the folk out here in the country would be the types to really cut loose, but… Nope. I know most folk detest the annual ritual artillery, but I kinda like it. I should have driven to the casino or to Fargo and seen some, instead I just wound up feeling kind of melancholy. Oh well!
Nice short week here at work, which is good - I’mma be quite unable to focus on anything productive while I’m waiting for job callbacks. Love y’all!